TAMPA, Fla. – Moments after Michelle Waterson left the octagon following her loss in the UFC on ESPN+ 19 main event, she embraced good friend and training partner Holly Holm.

Holm (10-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC), the former UFC women’s bantamweight champ, covered her mouth as she whispered something into the ear of Waterson (17-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who was devastated following a unanimous decision defeat to Joanna Jedrzejczyk (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) in Saturday’s headliner, which took place at Amalie Arena and streamed on ESPN+.

What was said in that moment between the two Jackson-Wink MMA athletes? Waterson revealed part of the conversation during his post-fight scrum.

“She just said she knew it wasn’t the outcome I wanted but it was – she just said it was a lot closer than what I probably feel like it is in my heart,” Waterson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, after UFC on ESPN+ 19. “And that I’m still improving and that it’s still another step forward.”

Waterson struggled to hold back her tears following a difficult bout, which snapped her three-fight winning streak. She vowed to get back on the horse, though, and said the UFC strawweight title remains her ultimate aspiration.